5. INSPIRE WANDERLUST

MY HOPE IS that the photographs I create on my journeys will inspire other people to step away from their regular lives and go on an adventure. Whether viewers choose to visit the exact locations I did or just become inspired to take a vacation or explore their own backyard, I feel most successful when I get to hear about someone longing to travel or taking a trip in response to my photography.

So what separates a beautiful photograph from a photograph that calls the viewer to action? Take a look at your travel photography morgue and see what images give you the strongest desire to go out and see the world. What is it that specifically impacts you in the images? Do the images make you feel relaxed? Do they give you a sense of awe? Are you attracted to a sense of history and antiquity? Do you love chaotic photographs of bustling cities? Do you long for an outdoorsy adventure? The type of images that inspire wanderlust will vary from person to person and interest to interest, but there are a few key commonalities that will inspire most viewers:

• Dramatic natural landscapes free of people (Figure 5.1): Many of us long for solitude and will find comfort in an epic vista free from noisy crowds.
• Dramatic natural landscapes with only one or two people: A single person or a couple in the frame puts the viewer mentally in that person’s shoes. It is easy to project yourself into that place and that moment, as with the surfers in Figure 5.2.

5.1 Monteverde, Costa Rica
ISO 100; 1/800 sec.; f/4; 17mm

5.2 Sunset Cliffs, San Diego, California
ISO 100; 2 sec.; f/22; 10mm

• Luxury on the cusp of nature: Anyone who has seen a photograph of a luxurious pool overlooking a vast, clear body of water has instantly wished she were there (Figure 5.3).
• A totally unique cultural experience: Travelers long to experience something completely new. An image of a bustling street market in China or the view from a Venetian gondola can inspire viewers to step out of their ordinary routine.
• Seasonally specific opportunities: Think northern lights or fall color. We are attracted to beautiful moments that are fleeting, so images that can be taken only under certain conditions or during certain times of year have a distinct appeal (Figure 5.4).

5.3 Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
ISO 400; 1/8000 sec.; f/3.5; 12mm

5.4 St. Germain, Wisconsin
ISO 250; 1/400 sec.; f/1.8; 50mm

• A different world: Glimpses of the unfamiliar corners of the world will always inspire wonder and whimsy. Whether you photograph a coral reef teeming with life, or the craggy landscape of the Badlands (Figure 5.5), the most alien places can be the most inviting.
• A sense of adventure: Images from a Costa Rican ziplining course or a rugged waterfall hike provide the promise of thrills and challenges to inspire wannabe thrill seekers.
• Unique, iconic architecture: From tight European corridors (Figure 5.6), to modern urban canyons of steel and glass (Figure 5.7), unique architecture fueled by culture and history will inspire wanderlust in lots of viewers.

When it comes to inspiring wanderlust, the possibilities are endless. As long as you approach your travels with your own sense of open-mindedness and a longing for new experiences, your own enthusiasm and amazement will carry through in your photographs. Pay attention to the details and seek out the culturally unique. Rely on your visual storytelling and essence of place, and you’ll elevate your images from being beautiful to being inspirational.

5.5 Badlands National Park, South Dakota
ISO 100; 1/125 sec.; f/4.5; 26mm

5.6 Monells, Spain
ISO 800; 1/100 sec.; f/5.6; 56mm

5.7 Chicago, Illinois
ISO 160; 1/160 sec.; f/9; 24mm